Donald Trump advises Coast Guard on how to keep equipment reserves

In an address in which bragged about a soaring stock market, record job figures, and "big, handsome fat tax cuts" the military personnel could look forward to at home, he also claimed United States forces were repeatedly defeating Isis militants - something he also sought to take credit for. He also visited a Coast Guard station and passed out sandwiches.

"We have been winning", Hertling contented on CNN.

"Everybody's talking about the progress you've made in the last few months since I opened it up".

"They say we've made more progress against ISIS than they did in years of the previous administration", he said. He said they were "fighting for something good". "You're talking to soldiers and military personnel around the world who have been in this fight for 17 years and to suddenly be told they're winning now when they weren't winning before is somewhat insulting, first of all". "They weren't letting you win".

Trump is spending Thanksgiving at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida.

President Donald Trump says he tries to make sure that the military equipment the US sells overseas is not quite as good as what the country keeps at home.

"It is an honor to be here", the president said. Everybody in this country is watching and they are seeing positive reports for a change. "Nobody knows that", Trump said.

He also praised their work tackling the devastation caused by storms in Florida and Texas, and made a cursory mention of Puerto Rico, where his administration's response has been widely criticised.

The president then asked the press to leave so he and the troops on the video call could have a "personal, confidential conversation".

On this Thanksgiving, President Trump called some of our fearless men and women serving overseas to wish them happy holidays and to thank them for fighting for freedom.